An Expandable Brassiere

ABSTRACT

An adjustable brassiere ( 100 ) having two cups ( 102,104 ) joined to each other, a back band ( 106, 108 ) and shoulder straps ( 110,112 ). The back band has two parts: a first back band ( 108 ) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band ( 106 ) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end. The second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band. The first shoulder strap ( 110 ) has a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the first back band, and the second shoulder strap ( 112 ) has a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the second back band. Adjustable side fasteners ( 114 ) connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, and these are able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands. In two or more adjustable front fasteners ( 116 ) incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connect the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps. The adjustable side fasteners allow the size of the brassieres cups to be increased in volume by one size and the adjustable front fasteners allow the cups to rotate to increase in capacity once side fasteners have been adjusted. The wearer can thus adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to brassieres, or bras, and more particularly tobrassieres that expand to allow for fluctuations in breast size (mammarygland), for example during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable bras, having adjustable back bands and shoulder straps arewell known. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,359(Richardson). The bra has bra cups and first and second detachableshoulder straps connected to an adjustable back band or bands.

Maternity bras in which the cup part of the brassiere may be opened toallow the mother to feed the infant are also commonplace. Neither ofthese types of bras allows the user to adjust the effective cup size ofthe brassiere to allow for size fluctuations of the breast, for exampleduring pregnancy and/or breast-feeding and as a consequence, on manyoccasions, for many breast feeding mothers breast feeding has beenuncomfortable.

From the foregoing, it is appreciated that a need has arisen for abrassiere which, in addition to the usual features of having adjustablestraps, allows the user to adjust the effective cup size of thebrassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/orbreast-feeding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided anadjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup and a secondbrassiere cup connected together; a first back band having a first endconnected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and asecond back band having a first end connected to the second brassierecup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of thefirst back band is detachably connected to the second free end of thesecond back band; and a first shoulder strap having a first endconnected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connectedto the first back band, and a second shoulder strap having a first endconnected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connectedto the second back band; having an adjustment means whereby, in use, thewearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere toaccommodate fluctuations in breast size.

Ideally the adjustment means includes one or more side fastenersconnecting the first and second brassiere cups to the first and secondback bands, the adjustable fasteners adapted to alter an angle betweenthe first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands;and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each ofthe first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and secondbrassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps therebyachieving variation in effective cup size.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided anadjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup and a secondbrassiere cup connected together; a first back band having a first endconnected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and asecond back band having a first end connected to the second brassierecup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of thefirst back band is detachably connected to the second free end of thesecond back band; and a first shoulder strap having a first endconnected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connectedto the first back band, and a second shoulder strap having a first endconnected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connectedto the second back band; characterised by adjustable side fastenersconnecting the first and second brassiere cups to the first and secondback bands, the adjustable fasteners adapted to alter an angle betweenthe first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands;and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each ofthe first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and secondbrassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps; whereby, inuse, the wearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of thebrassiere to accommodate fluctuations in breast size.

Ideally the second free end of the first back band can be detachablyconnected to the second free end of the second back band by means of anadjustable rear fastener.

The adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustablerear fasteners can include hook elements, hook and eye elements, claspelements, and clamp elements.

Alternative connection means includes buttons and/or clips and/or hooksand/or magnetic fasteners or clasps that are dimensioned and arranged sothat opposite poles of magnets are located in regions that are to beconnected one to another, Ideally the magnetic fasteners or clasps aresmall, typically flat discs of less than 2 cm in diameter, ideally lessthan 1 cm in diameter and preferably thinner than 3 mm. Optionally asingle magnet may be used in combination with a stainless steel (orother ferromagnetic) material.

In an alternative embodiment the connection means may include ahook-and-eye connection fabric, which is often sold under the RegisteredTrade Mark Velcro. Optionally strips of hook-and-eye connection fabric,may be provided on replaceable supports so that these hook-and-eyematerial can be removed prior to laundering.

Magnetic fasteners may be permanently attached to bras, e.g. sewn intopockets or flaps within the bra, or they can be removable—for exampleprior to laundering.

Two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements may beincorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bandsto receive and attach the first and second shoulder straps at differentlocations on the first and second back bands.

The first and second brassiere cups can include a strap part fittingaround the wearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer'sbreast. The front part can be detached from the shoulder strap to allowthe wearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant.

For a more complete explanation of the present invention and thetechnical advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescription and the accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an overview of the adjustable brassiere of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show two lines of hooks and eye side fasteners foradjusting the volume of the brassiere cup; and

FIG. 4 shows a strap part of the brassiere cup fitting around thewearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, an embodiment of the present invention and itstechnical advantages are understood by referring to FIG. 1, which showsan adjustable brassiere (100) having two cups (102, 104) joined to oneanother, a back band (106, 108) and shoulder straps (110, 112).

The back band has two parts: a first back band (108) having a first endconnected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and asecond back band (106) having a first end connected to the secondbrassiere cup and having a second free end. The second free end of thefirst back band is detachably connected to the second free end of thesecond back band.

The first shoulder strap (110) has a first end connected to the firstbrassiere cup and has a second end connected to the first back band, andthe second shoulder strap (112) has a first end connected to the secondbrassiere cup and has a second end connected to the second back band.Adjustable side fasteners (114) connect the first and second brassierecups to the first and second back bands, and these are able to alter anangle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first andsecond back bands. Two or more adjustable front fasteners (116) areincorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups and theseconnect the first and second brassiere cups and the first and secondshoulder straps.

The adjustable side fasteners allow the size of the brassieres cups tobe increased in volume by one size and the adjustable front fastenersallow the cups to rotate to increase in capacity once side fastenershave been adjusted. The wearer can thus adjust the effective cup size ofthe brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/orbreast-feeding.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, two lines of hooks and eye sidefasteners (114) allow the second brassiere cup (104) to connect to thesecond back band (108); in FIG. 3 a the side fastener is positioned sothat the brassiere cup volume is less than it is in FIG. 3 b.

The second free end of the first back band can be detachably connectedto the second free end of the second back band by means of an adjustablerear fastener (120) which allows the effective length of the back bandto be adjusted.

The adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustablerear fasteners can be hook elements, hook and eye elements, claspelements, or clamp elements.

Two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements (118) can beincorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bands,and these are adapted to receive and attach the first and secondshoulder straps at different locations on the first and second backbands. This allows adjustment to accommodate an increase or decrease inthe back size during feeding.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the first and second brassiere cups can includea strap part (122) fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part(124) fitting over the wearer's breast. The front part may be detachedfrom the shoulder strap by disengaging fastener (126) to allow thewearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant.

It is to be appreciated that these Figures are for illustration purposesonly and other configurations are possible.

The invention has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, withmodifications and alternatives, but having read and understood thisdescription, further embodiments and modifications will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. All such embodiments and modifications areintended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined inthe accompanying claims.

Ideally the bra is dimensioned and arranged so that it can be packedaway into a relatively small package and so can be readily delivered toend users and by post.

1. An adjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup (102) and asecond brassiere cup (104) connected together; a first back band (108)having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having asecond free end, and a second back band (106) having a first endconnected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end,wherein the second free end of the first back band is detachablyconnected to the second free end of the second back band; and a firstshoulder strap (110) having a first end connected to the first brassierecup and having a second end connected to the first back band, and asecond shoulder strap (112) having a first end connected to the secondbrassiere cup and having a second end connected to the second back band;characterised by: an adjustment means whereby, in use, the wearer isable to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to accommodatefluctuations in breast size.
 2. An adjustable brassiere according toclaim 1 in which adjustable side fasteners connect the first and secondbrassiere cups to the first and second back bands, the adjustablefasteners able to alter an angle between the first and second brassierecups and the first and second back bands; and two or more adjustablefront fasteners incorporated along each of the first and secondbrassiere cups connecting the first and second brassiere cups and thefirst and second shoulder straps; whereby the wearer may adjust theeffective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations ofthe breast.
 3. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 in which thesecond free end of the first back band is detachably connected to thesecond free end of the second back band by means of an adjustable rearfastener.
 4. An adjustable brassiere according to claims 1 in which theadjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustablerear fasteners comprise any one of the group consisting of: hookelements, hook and eye elements, clasp elements, and clamp elements. 5.An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 including two or moreshoulder strap fastener receiving elements (118) incorporated along alength of each of the first and second back bands, the shoulder strapfastener receiving elements adapted to receive and attach the first andsecond shoulder straps at different locations on the first and secondback bands.
 6. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 in which thefirst and second brassiere cups include a strap part fitting around thewearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast.
 7. Anadjustable brassiere according to claim 6 in which the front part isadapted to be detached from the shoulder strap to allow the wearer togive access to the breast by a feeding infant.
 8. An adjustablebrassiere according to claim 1 wherein a magnetic attachment isprovided.
 9. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 8 wherein themagnetic attachment is/are removable prior to laundering.
 10. Anadjustable brassiere according to claim 1 and substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the Figures.